Residue of <i>Erycibe obtusifolia Benth</i> as bedding materials improves welfare and microorganisms of chickens

1. This study investigated the effect of <i>Erycibe obtusifolia Benth</i> (EOB) plant residue on welfare, stress-related gene expression as well as microorganisms of both the gut and bedding materials of chickens.2. In this study, a total of 160, bearded chickens aged 80 d old were raised on four bedding types: EOB, rice husk (RH), EOB and RH bedding (EOB E) and EOB plus <i>Enterococcus faecalis</i> fermented bedding (RHEOB). Twelve behaviours, foot pad dermatitis and feather condition of each group were observed, caecal contents and bedding material were collected for microorganisms detection and brain tissues were collected for gene expression related to fear, stress and aggressive behaviour.3. Bedding had no effect on foot pad dermatitis (FPD), feather condition or abnormal behaviour. Sand bathing (<i>p</i> <0.05) and affinity behaviour (<i>p</i> <0.05) increased in birds on the EOB with rice husk bedding material. The expressions of <i>5-HT</i>, <i>HTR1A</i> and <i>CRH</i> genes in brain tissue were affected by different bedding types. The mixture of EOB and rice husk reduced the relative abundance of <i>Brevibacterium</i>, <i>Enterococcus</i> and <i>Streptococcus</i> spp. increased the relative abundance of probiotics of <i>Rombutz</i>, <i>Lactobacillus</i> spp. and <i>L. mucosus</i> and improved the microflora of the bedding and caecal contents.4. EOB bedding showed good application, as EOB and rice husk mixed bedding had the best effect.